House of Mirrors: Chapter 19

Gavi’s early morning run-in with Mr. Redlick brings back memories of the Rosh Yeshivah’s hesitation over the proposed shidduch between Gavi and Laylee.

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

"B eloff!” a voice thundered from behind them.

Laylee looked up at Gavi, watched as his face turned a peculiar shade of white.

She turned around to face a squat man in his late 50s. He wore a dark scowl and a red flannel shirt. She examined the deep crease between his eyebrows, the mark of unhappiness. That’s why we Botox. To make sure no one thinks we’re unhappy. Or over 30.

“Mr. Redlick! Twice in one day. What luck,” Gavi said with a tight smile.

“I’d like you to meet my son.” Redlick motioned to a man in uniform a few feet away holding a hot dog in one hand. “Detective Tony Redlick, 31st Precinct.” The elder Redlick’s smile couldn’t have been bigger as Tony reached out to grasp Gavi’s hand.

“Pleasure to meet you,” Gavi said, his voice suddenly small.

“Oh, don’t be so formal... you two are going to be good friends soon!” Redlick winked, then let out a gruff laugh, as father and son walked away.

“Gavi...” Laylee said in a low, questioning voice.

“Not now.”

“Who was that? How do you know that guy?”

“Not. Now.” His teeth were clenched.

He began walking quickly and she followed as he ducked into a curtained-off area, leaned his head against the wall, rubbing his left temple with his index finger.

“I need to think….”

There were beads of sweat on his forehead.

“Gavi, stop. Don’t panic. It’s going to be okay. Whatever it is, my father has connections....”

“Your father?” He looked at her, then his eyes fluttered closed. “Your father is going to have my head.”

Laylee’s heart lurched, a rising anger clouding her vision. What sort of idiotic thing did he do? She turned away. Clearly there would be no answers right now anyway. Clearly… clearly she wasn’t someone her husband could confide in. Laylee noticed a tall, curved mirror in front of her; she was startled when she saw her reflection. Short and wide. Looking around, she noticed more mirrors lining the corridor, each set on wide stands, backs up against the curtain. They’d stepped into a hall of mirrors. She examined her disfigured likeness while her thoughts raced.

What had Gavi said after the parlor meeting? “If I wasn’t that guy, we wouldn’t be married.” He thinks that if he messes up, if he isn’t successful, if he isn’t perfect, that I’d leave him. And I feel like he grows more distant every day... like somehow, I’m losing him anyway.

It’s all… We’re all... messed up.

She closed her eyes, disgusted by her appearance.

But wouldn’t you leave him, Laylee? sneered a little voice. If he really did something shady, would you let your reputation go down the drain with his? Would you stick around?

She watched Gavi walk away, head down, just as Sarah and the girls came bursting through the curtain sporting flushed faces.

Cookie ran to an open mirror and examined her tall, slender figure, enamored by her reflection. “Look, Mommy!”